Superintendent's Message: July 9, 2020
Dear JTASD Olympians:
JTASD is fortunate to have been in the GREEN Phase since mid-June. All summer staff are working hard to prepare for the reopening of school for the 2020-2021 school year. The Fall Sports Teams were able to begin strength and conditioning workouts for the first time since March adhering to the JTASD Athletics Guidelines for Resocialization into Sports Plan developed in cooperation with our healthcare sponsor, Lehigh Valley Health Network. It is an amazing feeling to have students back on campus again!
Fall Reopening Preview
As required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the Jim Thorpe Area School District administrative team has prepared a Health and Safety Plan in order to reopen school to offer traditional in-person instruction at the Penn Kidder Campus, L.B. Morris School, and the Jim Thorpe Area High School to present to the Jim Thorpe Area Board of Directors for approval. As a district team, we have received from PDE, Department of Health, LVHN, and other authorities a multitude of resources regarding the opening of school and we also reviewed the survey responses that were submitted by students, parents, and staff. We have prepared a reopening plan that addresses:
· Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting, and Ventilation: Featuring many new cleaning devices utilizing air disinfectant and UV light machines;
· Technology & Equipment Cleaning: Continue to leverage our one-to-one learning initiative, Project OLE, using iPads and MacBook Airs and hotspots;
· Preventative Practices: Wearing of Face masks during transition times and less than 6 feet (following Governor Wolf’s order), Hand washing/sanitizing materials readily available and Social Distancing practices in place;
· Training: COVID-19 training and staff development.
Although there is much uncertainty, if Carbon County remains in the GREEN Phase, we fully reopen school, or returns to the YELLOW phase, we plan to open JTASD in a blended option with progressive modifications to accommodate safety and social distancing requirements. E-Learning will be part of the YELLOW and RED Options, and always available for any family electing to keep their child home to be educated. For families choosing a 100% E-learning at home option, the administrative team has enhanced the delivery model in comparison to the model utilized to close out last school year, called the JT Olympian Learning Connection. We developed a live option of learning that will provide the student learning from home the ability to see their teacher and take part in the lesson as if they were actually sitting in the classroom. More details on the JT Olympian Learning Connection will follow.
Upcoming Meetings
On Monday, July 13 at 6:00 p.m. a Curriculum Committee Meeting will focus on the Jim Thorpe Area Health and Safety Plan. And on Wednesday, July 15 at the Regular Board Meeting to begin at 7 p.m., the school board will be voting on the approval of the Health and Safety Plan to reopen school. Both meeting links can be found at the school website www.jimthorpesd.org. We will have several parent-focused remote Zoom meetings to explain the district's reopening plan in the coming weeks to help families make an informed decision on their child’s return to school in the Fall.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Mr. Rushefski